The immediate pleasurable side effects of shrooms are enhanced when the user drinks alcohol simultaneously. For this reason, many people use shrooms at the same time as alcohol, although there may be serious adverse effects as a result.
What are Shrooms?
Mushrooms are a naturally grown substance that has hallucinogenic properties due to its active ingredient, psilocybin. Also known as "magic mushrooms", shrooms have a psychedelic effect on the brain, which means that they distort the perception of time, alter the senses of touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing, and overall remove the user from reality.
Although they are not known to have terribly adverse long-term effects, mushrooms are a Schedule I drug, which means they can become addictive and have no known medical use. Mushrooms are either eaten fresh or dried, or mixed into teas or food. It takes around 20-60 minutes for shrooms to have an effect on the body. Pleasurable effects can last for up to 6 hours, the amount of time it takes for the substance to exit the body entirely.
Why Do People Mix Shrooms and Alcohol?
People who use shrooms feel a heightened sense of euphoria and excitement, so they may want to use alcohol- a depressant- to counteract and calm those intense emotions. Other people assume that taking alcohol will enhance the intensity of the hallucinogenic nature of psychedelic mushrooms, resulting in a more enjoyable trip.
Why is Alcohol and Shrooms Use Problematic?
The relationship between psychedelic mushrooms and alcohol is complex, with multiple different results for users. Being so, it’s difficult to predict the outcome of mixing shrooms and alcohol. When a person uses either mushrooms or alcohol, they will experience impaired judgment and engage in unpredictable, risky behaviors. These behaviors are amplified when both psilocybin and alcohol are consumed together.
Additionally, as with any two substances that are consumed concurrently, the mushrooms mask the effects of the alcohol, causing the user to consume more alcohol than is safe. This is dangerous because although it is believed that shrooms do not pose a tremendous risk when too much is consumed, studies show that taking too much alcohol can have fatal results.
Specifically, since alcohol is a depressant and shrooms have sedative properties, they can work synergistically to slow down the user’s internal organs, leading to respiratory depression and constant vomiting. Alternatively, there may be contrasting effects on the body from the two opposing substances (alcohol is a depressant, whereas shrooms are hallucinogenic), causing tremendous stress on the body and heightened negative effects.
Side Effects of Shrooms Misuse
The negative side effects of shroom misuse mostly center around having a ‘bad trip’, and other emotional issues like anxiety, paranoia, and disturbing flashbacks due to the hallucinogenic properties of the mushrooms. There are also other physical side effects such as hunger pangs, nausea, and more, all of which are uncomfortable and unpleasant to endure. The most significant, rare, and adverse long-term side effect is Hallucinogen-Persisting Perceptual Disorder (HPPD). This is a mental health disorder where the user experiences flashbacks, hallucinations, and psychosis that persist even long after the drug has left the body.
Side Effects of Psilocybin and Alcohol
Research has shown that consuming alcohol and shrooms together can cause the following effects. Although some of these effects are present when only either shrooms or alcohol are consumed, they are unfortunately enhanced and more pronounced when both are used together.
Physical effects combining shrooms and alcohol:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Decrease in muscle coordination
- Excessive sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Unconsciousness
- Seizures
Psychological effects of mixing shrooms and alcohol:
- Anxiety and depression
- Impaired judgment
- More intense and vivid hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Panic attacks
- Decrease in memory function
Can You Drink on Shrooms?
Many people playing around with either alcohol, shrooms, or both will wonder, "can you drink and take shrooms?" Drinking on shrooms may be a social activity, a fun pastime, or a respite from challenging emotions or events, but it can lead to dangerous effects. For some, the very fact that the results are unpredictable intrigues them to keep trying the combination, unaware of the damaging long-term effects on the body.
Micro-Dosing On Shrooms Whilst On Alcohol
People also wonder if it’s safe to micro-dose on shrooms while on a high from alcohol. Although it’s likely that smaller doses of shrooms will produce milder negative effects, the outcome of using shrooms with alcohol is still unpredictable. For this reason, it is advised not to micro-dose on shrooms while using alcohol. It’s important to note that before using any addictive or potentially harmful substance, reach out to your local practitioner or check in with a mental health professional to ensure that it is safe to use.
Treatment for Hallucinogenic and Alcohol Abuse
Misuse of any synthetic or naturally-occurring hallucinogenic drug can have serious physical, emotional, and psychological effects in both the short and long term. The same is true for alcoholism. The possible effects on the body of consuming vast amounts of alcohol on a regular basis are devastating, including high blood pressure, stroke, liver issues, pancreatitis, and even cancer. Struggling with one or both of these disorders will likely cause the user to suffer in many ways, including at the workplace, in close relationships, and with other responsibilities.
If you or someone you know is dealing with a hallucinogen abuse disorder, alcoholism, or both, please reach out for help. No one deserves to suffer from addiction alone. At Avenues Recovery Center, we have many professionals who have successfully guided thousands of people towards a meaningful, drug-free life. Our staff are experts in the field of addiction and they will help you achieve a sober life, where you, not your addiction, is in control. Our dedicated and empathetic addiction counselors will guide and direct you every step of the way. You don’t have to continue struggling. Reach out today to take your first step towards a brighter, healthier and addiction-free future.